Major League Baseball’s annual draft begins Monday. And MLB Network’s coverage of the first round begins that night at 6 ET with a draft preview show, followed by the first round and compensation round at 7 p.m. ET.

MLB Network analysts Harold Reynolds, John Hart and Greg Amsinger will anchor the coverage. Prior to the big night, that trio previewed the draft for Sporting News:

SN: This draft doesn't have that can't-miss No. 1 overall pick that recent drafts have featured. Who should be No. 1?

Reynolds: “Byron Buxton is one of those unique athletes that you rarely come across. He has the chance to be a once-in-a-generation player. The Astros (with the first overall pick) need to be thinking long term and not worry about drafting a player who is going to make an immediate impact. Buxton has the chance to be a star when he reaches the majors, and he’ll be another nice piece in Houston’s youth movement.”

Hart: “There are very few players that come up and make an immediate impact at the major league level. This is a sport where players go through learning stages and develop in the minor leagues. With that said, if you’re looking for that player who has the chance to make the biggest impact, I’d take Buxton No. 1. He’s a middle-of-the-diamond player with a big-time arm and speed. I think his offense has to catch up to his defense, but he has high upside.”

Amsinger: “The best all-around player in this draft is Buxton. He’s totally projectable. He won’t be quick to the big leagues, but he’s special. He’s a grinder and usually you don’t hear that word associated with the superstar talent. Anybody who is a legend wherever they played high school sports, I always find special. That’s what he is. … I think he could be the next Justin Upton.”

SN: Who is the most MLB-ready pitcher in the draft?

Hart: “I have to go with Mark Appel out of Stanford. What separates Mark from other pitchers in this draft is that he brings three quality pitches to the table. He’s got the arm strength with a clean delivery. The only problem I see with Appel is that he doesn’t have a ton of deception. Some pitchers in the majors succeed because they hide the ball really well.”

Reynolds: “I really like Marcus Stroman out of Duke University. He reminds me of Tom Gordon with that electric arm and a nasty slider. I think he’s the best pitcher in the draft even though he’s not projected to go in the top five picks. People are talking about his size, but I don’t think he has to be 6-foot to be good.”

Amsinger: “Kevin Gausman. He has the best swing-and-miss stuff and an electric arm. He dials it up to the upper-90s and he sits there. He is a special pitcher that, because of his four-pitch mix, he can win now. He has an ERA barely over 3.00, but he’s in the SEC, so that tells you something.”

SN: What about the most MLB-ready hitter?

Hart: “I think the first round has better arms than bats, but if I had to take one hitter right now, I’d go with Mike Zunino out of Florida. He’s got the right instincts to be a professional major league hitter. You’re never sure how catchers will grow offensively and its possible Zunino has to move out from behind the plate. He’s hit wherever he’s played.”

Reynolds: “I always feel that none of these young guns are ever major league-ready, but if I had to pick one, I’d go with Albert Almora. He’s got the tools to develop into a strong hitter.”

Amsinger: “Zunino. He has 16 home runs with the new college bat in the SEC against arms like Gausman. That’s impressive. He’s also a catcher and he plays every day behind the plate. Everyone compares him to Buster Posey, but he looks like Mike Napoli to me. He doesn’t pull as much as Napoli does, but there is never an at-bat where he looks bad. I think he could go right to a big league lineup tomorrow and hit .250 or .260.”

SN: Who will be drafted later than he should and will prove to be a steal?

Hart: “I like Andrew Heaney out of Oklahoma State. He’s a lefthander who has a good feel for the game. I always like players that get the most of out their talent because they’re smart ballplayers. I’ve seen Heaney pitch a few times and I’ve seen him outsmart hitters, which is nice to see at the college level.”

Reynolds: “D.J. Davis from Stone County High School. He reminds me a little bit of Joe Morgan because of his power and speed. He’s hands down the fastest player in the draft. The arm strength will come, but this young man is for real.”

Amsinger: “Skye Bolt. He’s an 18-year-old high school player from Georgia and a switch-hitting center fielder. Not only does he have the best name, he’s a fireplug. He’s compared to Shane Victorino. He’s a gamer. Because this kid isn’t built like Dexter Fowler, a 6-5 glider in the outfield, he’s going to go later. Also, he is committed to North Carolina and a lot of people think he really wants to go there. Scouts think if he plays three more years of college ball, he’ll be a first-round lock when he comes out. If I’m a G.M., I’d get this kid now.”

SN: How important is this draft for the new Cubs' regime?

Reynolds: “Chicago needs to replenish its organization, and it all starts on Monday. Theo Epstein led the charge in drafting some All-Stars for Boston. What will be interesting is seeing how they maneuver throughout the draft and allocate their resources. Epstein capitalized in Boston on spending some extra money in the later rounds the last few years. With the new collective bargaining agreement in place, it may be tougher for him. But I know they’ll try to be creative.”

Hart: “Drafts are important for every team, but we’ll really start to see Epstein and Jed Hoyer put their imprint on the organization through the draft. They’ve been able to do some things with trades and signings, but you’ll now see them get after it with the draft. It’s a deep enough draft that they won’t throw the blinders up after Round 1. Epstein is a guy who drafted Jonathan Papelbon in the fourth round. He’ll be ready when the bell rings.”

Amsinger: “It’s big. Obviously, they’re going to spend more money on the draft than they ever spent with the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox were more about signing the big free agent than they were about investing money in the draft. They have the sixth overall pick in the draft and there’s so many ways they could go. If I’m Theo and Jed, I have a long leash and I know that. I’m going to go with a projectable high school talent. You just got hired, you know you don’t have to win right now. Don’t go with something for right now when you could miss out on a superstar. This is their chance to get a future superstar.”